Injection needle for injecting woody plants

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes a needle and a method for injecting a fluid, such as a medicament, into a woody plant, e.g., trees, shrubs or vines. In one embodiment the needle includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner conduit extending from the proximal end towards the distal end, and at least one aperture in communication with the inner conduit and an outer surface of the body. An area of uniform cross-section in the body contains an indentation in the outer surface of the body where the aperture opens to the outer surface.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/379,832 filed on May 9, 2002 and is a continuation-in-part, claiming the benefit and priority of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/434,407 filed May 8, 2003 under the same title, now pending. The entire teachings of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

Injection treatment of plants is a method of introducing an agent into a plant. The agent can be introduced into the plant by gravity or under pressure, and a wide variety of devices exists for injecting plants.

Injection treatment is useful for the treatment of disease conditions or insect infestation, such as Dutch elm disease, American chestnut blight, woolly adelgid, red palm weevil, etc. Fungicides, insecticides and chemicals can be administered by injection.

Nutritional supplements can also be administered by injection to maintain, improve or enhance the health of the plant. Such administration can also be an effective form of prevention of disease and insect attack as many diseases and insects attack plants that are in suboptimal health or are otherwise stressed.

Many plants are quite valuable, especially in the case of slow-growing plants such as trees or woody vines such as grapevines. A tree can take many years to grow to maturity, and it is therefore desirable to maintain adult trees in a healthy state, given the cost and inconvenience of removal and replacement of trees. Likewise, some woody plants, such as grapevines and fruit trees, are valuable because of their crop value, and the time required to bring a replacement plant to maturity is time during which the plant is not producing income.

In general, in administration of agents to trees many devices require drilling a hole in the tree to allow insertion into the tree of all or a portion of the device. However, drilling a hole is injurious to the tree and allows the entry of pathogens and insects to the interior of the tree. Most plants generally have mechanisms for “sealing off” a damaged site, but even so, such damage can stress the plant, making the plant susceptible, or even attractive, to insects and diseases.

Once an administration device is removed, the hole can be filled in with a plug or other means of filling in the hole. However, the plant has still been injured and may become susceptible to subsequent attack by pests and diseases. In addition, diseases and pests can still enter at the junction between the plug and the plant. Furthermore, leaving objects in a plant can retard or interfere with the later growth of the plant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a needle for injecting a fluid, such as a medicament, into a woody plant, e.g., trees, shrubs or vines. In one embodiment the needle includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner conduit extending from the proximal end towards the distal end, and a least one aperture in communication with the inner conduit and an outer surface of the body. An indentation in the outer surface of the body is provided where the at least one aperture opens to the outer surface. The body includes a tapered first portion extending from the proximal end toward the distal end and a second portion having a length of uniform cross-section at the end of said tapered first portion, said second portion extending around and beyond the indentation of said first aperture. The second portion of uniform cross-section extends to a third portion of said needle forming a point at said distal end of said body. The aperture can include a second aperture extending from the inner conduit parallel to and aligned with the aforementioned aperture, both apertures extending in a collinear fashion from the inner conduit to the outer surface of the body, such second aperture being approximately 180 degrees from the aforementioned aperture to the other side of the outer surface of the body into the second portion of uniform cross-section, there being a second indentation in the outer surface of the body where the second aperture opens to the outer surface in the second portion of the body of substantially uniform cross-section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an injection needle that can be used with an inoculator to inject a fluid in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section view of the needle shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged detailed second of the distal end of the needle shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a needle in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an injection needle 10 that can be used with an inoculator to inject a fluid, such as a medicament, into a woody plant, e.g., trees, shrubs or vines. One example of an inoculator is illustrated in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/902,494 filed on Jul. 10, 2001 and corresponding International Publication WO 02/03778 published on Jan. 17, 2002, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other examples of inoculators are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/433,064 filed on Dec. 12, 2002, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Generally, the needle 10 includes a body 12 having an outer surface 13, a proximal end 14, a distal end 22 and at least one aperture 18 adjacent to distal end 22. Proximal end 14 is adapted to be secured to the incubator or injector that delivers a fluid to be injected into the plant under pressure. Thus, an inner conduit 20 extends from proximal end 14 to distal end 22 to provide communication from inner conduit 20 to one or more aperture(s) 18.

Needle 10 can be about 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) to about 5.0 cm (2.0 inches) long in one embodiment. In another embodiment needle 10 is about 2.5 cm (1.0 inch) to about 12.7 cm (5.0 inches) long. The purpose of this needle 10 is to inject the fluid into larger trees with deeply fissured bark, e.g. the needle can be used with deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs. In another embodiment needle 10 is approximately 0.953 cm (0.375 inch) long, and aperture(s) 18 are about 0.000317 cm (0.000125 inch). This needle 10 can be used for smooth-barked evergreen or deciduous trees, shrubs and vines (e.g., grapevines). Needle 10 can be made of hardened and/or is formed of stainless steel or other similar material. In another embodiment needle 10 is 4.45 cm (1.75 inches) long with two apertures 18 of 0.081 cm (0.032 inch). In another embodiment needle 10 is 1.91 cm (0.75 inch) long with two apertures of 0.038 cm (0.015 inch).

One embodiment of needle 10 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an enlarged detailed section A of FIG. 2 and illustrates distal end 22. Distal end 22 has a sealed tip. One or more apertures 18 can have a diameter (d) in the range of between about 0.02 cm and about 0.1 cm (0.007 and 0.03 inch) in one embodiment. In another embodiment aperture(s) 18 are about 0.038 cm (0.015 inch) in diameter. In a further embodiment aperture(s) 18 are about 0.081 cm (0.032 inch) in diameter.

In one embodiment needle body 12 includes three portions: a tapered first portion 24, a second portion 16 of uniform cross-section, and a third portion 26. First portion 24 extends from proximal end 14 of the needle to second portion 16 of uniform cross-section, and third portion 26 extends from the end of second portion 16 of uniform cross-section to distal end 22.

First portion 24 of needle 10 can be straight or can have a first taper. All or a part of first portion 24 can be tapered. The first taper is measured by the angle ∝ between the longitudinal axis 30 of needle 10 and outer surface 13, as indicated by exterior line 32 of first portion 24 of the needle. The first taper can have an angle of between 0 degrees and about 5 degrees in particular embodiments. In one embodiment the first taper is about 1 degree. In another embodiment the first taper is about 1.5 degrees.

It may be desirable for some uses to taper the first portion so as to increase the strength of the shaft while minimizing the width at the tip of the needle. The first taper can vary in relation to the overall length of the needle, allowing the means for attaching the needle to the injector to remain the same between different needles.

In a particular embodiment first portion 24 has a taper until about point 34 which is located below apertures 18. From point 34 to about shoulder point 28 the second portion 16 of needle 10 can have a substantially uniform cross-section, i.e., non-tapered. It has been found that providing a substantially uniform cross-section adjacent apertures 18 has beneficial performance characteristics, such as less clogging of apertures 18 by the plant debris.

Third portion 26 has a second taper. The second taper is measured by the angle β between the longitudinal axis 30 of needle 10 and the majority 36 of the outer surface of second portion 26 of the needle. The second taper can have angle β in the range of between about 10 degrees and about 50 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 30 of needle 10. In another embodiment the second taper can be about 20 degrees to about 40 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 30 of needle 10. In one embodiment the second taper is 30 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis 30 of needle 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, needle 10 has at least one aperture 18 connecting inner conduit 20 of needle 10 with the outer surface 13 of the needle. The location at which aperture 18 meets outer surface 13 can be proximate to the distal end 22 and the sealed tip of needle 10. In one embodiment the location at which aperture 18 meets outer surface 13 is proximate to shoulder point 28. Placing aperture 18 in this location, behind shoulder point 28, reduces the incidence of plant debris breaking free from the plant and clogging aperture 18.

In the case of a needle 10 with more than one aperture, apertures 18 can be located on opposite sides of the needle for simpler and cheaper manufacture of the needle. With centerlines 38 of apertures 18 collinear, a wire or rod can be inserted in one aperture 18 and pass through to the opposing aperture 18 to remove any plant debris that may become clogged therein. In a particular embodiment centerline 38 of aperture 18 is positioned a distance 39 above the end of inner conduit 20 to facilitate the proper deburring of inner conduit 20. In a particular embodiment the distance 39 can be in the range of about 0.12 and 0.38 mm (0.005 and 0.015 inch).

As shown in FIG. 3, an indentation 40 can be provided at a point in needle 10 where aperture 18 opens to outer surface 13. It has been found that providing such an indentation 40 provides a geometry that reduces the likelihood of plant debris clogging apertures 18. The radius of curvature 42 is optimally selected. A radius of curvature too small has the undesired effect of “cheese grating” the plant at the edges upon insertion or withdrawal of the needle from the plant where indentation 40 meets outer surface 13. In a particular embodiment the center 46 of radius 42 defining curvature is located a distance 44 from longitudinal axis 30 on centerline 38. The radius of curvature 42 can be in the range of between about 1.27 and 1.78 mm (0.05 and 0.07 inch). In a particular embodiment the radius of curvature is about 1.58 mm (0.006 inch). In alternative embodiments a groove can be formed in outer surface 13 around, or at least part of, the outer circumference of body 12 to form indentation 40. The groove can be chamfered, beveled, straight, V-shaped, C-shaped, channeled or include other suitable geometry.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative needle 10 in which distal end terminates in the shape of a chisel, i.e., a blade 48. This embodiment can be employed for injecting hard wood plants.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be substituted therefor without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention. 

1. An injection needle for injecting a fluid into a woody plant comprising a body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner conduit extending from the proximal end towards the distal end, at least one aperture being in communication with the inner conduit and an outer surface of the body, there being an indentation in the outer surface of the body where the at least one aperture opens to the outer surface, wherein the body includes a first tapered portion extending from the proximal end toward the distal end, said first tapered portion having an end, the body including a second portion of uniform cross-section at the end of said tapered portion and adjacent the at least one aperture, said uniform cross-section extending a length that includes said indentation in said outer surface of said body into which said aperture opens and said portion of uniform cross-section extending from the end of said tapered portion toward said distal end.
 2. The injection needle of claim 1, further including a second aperture extending from the inner conduit to the outer surface of the body, there being a second indentation in the outer surface of the body where the second aperture opens to the outer surface into said area of uniform cross-section.
 3. The injection needle of claim 2, wherein a centerline of the at least one aperture and a centerline of the second aperture are collinear and form an angle of about 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the body.
 4. The injection needle of claim 3, wherein the apertures are configured such that a wire can pass through the body.
 5. The injection needle of claim 3, wherein said body at its distal end further includes a third portion extending from said second portion of uniform cross-section, such third portion forming a point.
 6. The injection needle of claim 3, wherein after said portion of uniform cross-section said distal end terminates in a blade.
 7. The injection needle of claim 3, wherein said indentation formed around said aperture in said portion of uniform cross-section includes a radius of curvature.
 8. The injection needle of claim 3, wherein said indentation formed around said aperture in said portion of uniform cross-section includes a groove formed in at least part of the outer surface of the body.
 9. The injection needle of claim 8, wherein the groove includes at least one cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of C-shape, V-shape, a chamfer, and a bevel.
 10. The injection needle of claim 3, wherein the outer surface in said area of uniform cross-section is countersunk to form the indentation.
 11. A method for injecting a fluid into a woody plant comprising the steps of: providing an injection needle for injecting the fluid, the needle including a body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner conduit extending from the proximal end towards the distal end, and a first aperture and a second aperture in communication with the inner conduit and an outer surface of the body, centerlines of the first aperture and the second aperture being collinear; inserting the needle into the woody plant; injecting the fluid through the inner conduit of the needle and out of at least one of the apertures and into the woody plant, thereby injecting the fluid into the woody plant; providing an indentation in the body where the first and second apertures open up to the outer surface of the body; providing a uniform cross-sectional diameter of the body adjacent the first and second apertures; and providing a taper in the body from the proximal end toward the body portion having a uniform cross-section.
 12. A method for injecting a fluid into a woody plant, the method comprising: providing an injection needle for injecting the fluid, the needle including body having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner conduit extending from the proximal end towards the distal end, and at least one aperture being in communication with the inner conduit and an outer surface of the body, there being an indentation in the outer surface of the body where the at least one aperture opens to the outer surface; inserting the needle into the woody plant; injecting the fluid through the inner conduit of the needle and out of the at least one aperture end into the woody plant, thereby injecting the fluid into the woody plant; providing a uniform cross-sectional diameter of the body adjacent the at least one aperture; and providing a taper in the body from the proximal end toward the body portion having a uniform cross-section. 